Osmanthus americanus

Osmanthus americanus (L.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex A. Gray

Devilwood, Wild olive

Synonym(s): Cartrema americana

Evergreenshrub or small tree with narrow, oblong crown of paired, glossy, leathery leaves, and with dark blue fruit like small olives. Devilwood or wild olive is an irregularly rounded and open shrub or small tree to 30 ft. with an equal spread. Its long, evergreen leaves are light green and leathery. The small, creamy-white flowers are extremely fragrant and are followed by blue-black fruit which resembles small cherries.

Devilwood was so named because the fine-textured wood is difficult to split and work. The fruit resembles the cultivated Olive in the same family. The genus name, Osmanthus, from the Greek words for odor and flower, refers to the fragrant blossoms.